Rochester church shares traditional Thanksgiving bounty

ROCHESTER — Tables filled with faces both familiar and new as a traditional turkey dinner was served to hundreds at the True Memorial Baptist Church.

Piping hot plates of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and other trimmings were served by volunteers at the church where diners raved about the delicious food and family-style atmosphere of the event.

In addition to the hundreds of meals served at the church, dinners were also delivered to those who remained at home for the day who might otherwise not have had a Thanksgiving dinner.

Just past noon, Pastor Rick Lamirande was out making such deliveries while volunteers served food and waited on tables at the church.

Church member Brandon Vachon, 12, has waited on tables at the annual dinner for the last five years and said he enjoys being able to serve and help people.

“I love it,” he said.

When asked what the most popular menu item was, he nodded, and said, “The pie, of course.”

Abigail Lawton, 7, the youngest volunteer, spent the day with her family as they joined together to celebrate Thanksgiving by volunteering together.

Abigail had helped package meals for delivery before enjoying her own meal, her mother Michele Elefson, said.

Abigail's aunt, Sheryl Parmenter, her uncle, Mark Parmenter, and sister Sandra Natoli, 28, were also helping throughout the day.

“We decided as a family to do something for Thanksgiving,” Elefson said.

This was her first time attending the dinner and was amazed at how it all turned out.

“I think it's fantastic. It's a nice thing to do for the community,” she said.

She said the event also served as a good opportunity for her daughter, who learned “how lucky we are.”

Sandy Lamirande was dishing out spoonfuls of squash to patrons as they passed through the serving line.

“We're having a great time and having a lot of fun,” she said. She noticed servings of turkey and mashed potatoes were going faster than some of the vegetables offered at the dinner, a good indication of what people were enjoying most.

Gary Miller said he's been coming to the dinner for the last 10 years, and with a cleaned plate on the table before him, said the food is always delicious.

“It's amazing again this year,” he said. “They serve with such a good attitude.”

Sue Maxwell said she attends the feast each year with her family and friends and loves the same things Miller named.

“The people the atmosphere, and the food,” she said listing the reasons that keep her coming back.

She loves it so much she tries to let others know just how great the meal is.

“Every year I bring somebody new,” she said.

Rebekah Lamirande has been volunteering at the church for the Thanksgiving dinner for the last nine years. She said she loves volunteering since the church is like family to her.

“I just like spending my Thanksgiving here. The church is my home,” she said.